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Source verified July 12, 2026
Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream
Community infrastructure funding for ready projects
Latest source updateLast Update: July 12, 2026Latest change: The Direct Delivery stream now shows an open application portal with July 15, 2026 and August 12, 2026 deadlines, expanded eligible applicants, new intake requirements, and updated funding and project scope details.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 12, 2026
Latest change: The Direct Delivery stream now shows an open application portal with July 15, 2026 and August 12, 2026 deadlines, expanded eligible applicants, new intake requirements, and updated funding and project scope details.
Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream updated
The Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream now shows an open online application portal for shovel-ready 2026 projects, with eligible applicants able to apply until July 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (PT), and Indigenous and territorial applicants until August 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (PT). The updated page also expands who can apply, adds new intake requirements such as Class C estimates, proof of secured funding, support letters, and the rule that projects that have begun construction are not eligible, and revises the funding and scope language to $51 billion over 10 years starting in 2026-27 plus $3 billion per year ongoing, including a $1 billion small-project allocation and new project sub-streams.
Funding available
Up to 10% of project cost
Deadline
July 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream provides $6 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, to eligible public, non-profit, Indigenous, and private sector partners for community infrastructure across Canada. It supports regionally significant projects, climate adaptation projects, and local infrastructure such as community buildings, recreation facilities, and drinking water assets.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Up to 10% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Local infrastructure projects, including community buildings and spaces, recreation, sport and park facilities, drinking water assets, wastewater assets, and stormwater management assets.
- Climate adaptation projects that prevent, mitigate, or protect against the impacts of climate change, disasters triggered by natural hazards, and extreme weather events.
- Regionally significant projects that deliver broader economic, environmental, and social benefits beyond the immediate location of the project.
- Smaller community infrastructure projects delivered through Canada's Regional Development Agencies.
Documents Needed
- Class C estimates at a minimum, with a supporting document when available.
- Letters of support from the community and/or organizations impacted by the project, including public consultation records.
- Additional partner information and a letter of support for private sector entities applying in collaboration with an eligible public-sector entity or eligible Indigenous applicant.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Provincial or territorial governments.
- Provincial or territorial public sector bodies, municipal or regional governments, municipal or regional public sector bodies, and other public-sector bodies.
- Public or not-for-profit institutions authorized to deliver post-secondary courses or programs leading to recognized and transferable post-secondary credentials.
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations.
- Private sector, for-profit bodies working with an eligible public-sector entity or eligible Indigenous applicant; Indigenous applicants, including Indigenous governing bodies, not-for-profit organizations whose primary mandate is to serve Indigenous Peoples, and Indigenous development corporations.
Who is not eligible
- Private-sector, for-profit bodies that are not partnering with an eligible public sector entity or an eligible Indigenous applicant.
- Individuals and private citizens.
- Federal entities, including federal Crown corporations.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that have begun construction are not eligible, although new and distinct phases of such projects may be eligible.
Selection criteria
- Proponents of regionally significant projects may be invited to apply.
- Preference may be given to projects that are ready to start construction during the upcoming summer construction season.
- For Indigenous and territorial projects, consideration will also be given to projects that will be shovel-ready in 2027.
How to apply
- Go to the HICC Funding Portal welcome page.
- Click the Build Communities Strong Fund link and select Register to create a new account.
- Review and confirm the privacy and third-party information notice statement, then provide a valid email address, create a password, and complete the profile and organization information.
- Save the account, sign out, then sign back in with the secure account email address and password.
- On the landing page, select Applications and submissions and choose the Build Communities Strong Fund from the list of active funding programs.
Processing and Agreement
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will only contact applicants whose submissions are shortlisted for approval.
- The Department may share project information with the respective provinces and territories.
- Applicants receiving an Approval in Principle letter after review and approval of their project submission will be required to provide additional project information, and other conditions may apply.
Additional information
- The BCSF application can be saved before submission as many times as necessary, and applicants are not required to complete it in one session.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Build Communities Strong Fund — Community streamCommunity infrastructure funding across Canada
- Build Communities Strong Fund — Provincial and Territorial streamFunding for housing, health, and education infrastructure
- Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) – Local Impact Stream in the Prairie provincesFunding for public community infrastructure projects
Frequently Asked Questions about the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream Program
What is the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream?
The Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream provides $6 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, to eligible public, non-profit, Indigenous, and private sector partners for community infrastructure across Canada. It supports regionally significant projects, climate adaptation projects, and local infrastructure such as community buildings, recreation facilities, and drinking water assets.
How much funding can be received?
Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream program?
To be eligible for the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream program, you must:
The applicant must be responsible for project implementation and own, or will own, the asset(s).
The project must be shovel-ready and able to begin before the end of 2026.
The project must have Class C estimates at a minimum and all sources of funding secured except the federal funding requested through BCSF.
What expenses are eligible under Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream?
Local infrastructure projects, including community buildings and spaces, recreation, sport and park facilities, drinking water assets, wastewater assets, and stormwater management assets.
Climate adaptation projects that prevent, mitigate, or protect against the impacts of climate change, disasters triggered by natural hazards, and extreme weather events.
Regionally significant projects that deliver broader economic, environmental, and social benefits beyond the immediate location of the project.
Smaller community infrastructure projects delivered through Canada's Regional Development Agencies.
Who can I contact for more information about the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream?
You can contact Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) by email at canadastrong-canadafort@infc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream available?
The Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream program is available across Canada.
Is the Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream is a Grant and Funding